Clerical error at the root of massive controversy?

If a government clerk (Lekhpal) had submitted his report, of the land status, on which Greater Noida villagers want to raise a mosque in Kadalpur, correctly on July 2, the whole controversy that got built-up by now, and suspension of IAS Durga Shakti Nagpal would have been averted, officials said.

“On July 1, a villager had lodged complaint at Greater Noida’s SDM office that some people want to build a mosque on gram sabha land. On July 2 a clerk, who keeps land records in his report claimed that land belongs to a villager, and they can build a mosque. Therefore, some days later, villagers started building a wall,” said an official of district admn, requesting anonymity.

On July 26, again a villager lodged complaint that mosque is being built at a government land.

“On July 26, clerk admitted his mistake and claimed the land belongs to the government, and district administration needs to stop the construction to enforce law. Following this the DM ordered Durga Shakti Nagpal to go and take action against illegal construction,” said an official.

Officials said that in his first report clerk told that land in question belongs to land record number (Khasra) - 338, which belongs to a villager, which was wrong.

“Later clerk realised his mistake and told Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate about it. Then Durga was sent to take action. The Khasra number on which the mosque was being built was 336,” said official.